Kings in Combat

Kings in Combat asks questions about the battles that went on during the Wars of the Roses.

The later years of the Wars of the Roses (1461-1485) were slightly more peaceful. The Lancastrian king, Henry VI, was either in exile, in custody or in the grave. But the wars continued, on and off, until the House of York was finally defeated and the line of Plantagenet kings, dating back over 300 years to Henry II, was brought to an end.

1.

In 1464 a diplomatic embassy was to attend the English parliament for peace talks. Fearing that the ambassadors may be attacked, a Yorkist army was sent to escort them. This army was attacked by the Lancastrians in the Battle of Hedgeley Moor. Which nation did the ambassadors represent?

Scotland

France

Spain

Burgundy

The Lancastrian army was defeated and fled from the field. The Scottish envoys made it safely to York, where peace between England and Scotland was successfully negotiated

2.

Shortly after Hedgely Moor came the Battle of Hexham, where the Lancastrians were once more defeated. In an attempt to bring the wars to an end the Yorkist commander had how many of the leading Lancastrians executed?

10 leading Lancastrians were executed

20 leading Lancastrians were executed

30 leading Lancastrians were executed

40 leading Lancastrians were executed

With so many of their leaders dead, and their king soon to be in custody, the Lancastrian cause all but collapsed

3.

After Towton there followed five years of peace, until one of King Edward's allies, the Earl of Warwick, switched his allegiance and became allied to which potential monarch?

Edward's son, George

Edward's brother, George

Edward's son, Richard

Edward's brother, Richard

Warwick had lost his influence over King Edward and so he became allied to Edward's brother, George but he soon switched sides yet again and supported Henry VI. George himself was executed for treason in 1478. According to legend he was drowned in a barrel of wine

4.

During Warwick's rebellion there were two battles: Edgecote Moor and which other?

Slobby Field

Falldown Field

Tripping Field

Losecote Field

Legend has it that Warwick's troops took off their coats after the battle so as not to be caught wearing his arms and this is how the battle got its name. However, it is more likely that the battle was named after a nearby field of the same name

5.

Following his former ally's rebellion, Edward fled abroad with his brother, Richard. Henry VI was declared king once more. How long did his second reign last?

For six days

For six weeks

For six months

For six years

Warwick, as Henry's advisor, declared war on Burgundy where Edward and Richard were staying. Because of this the Duke of Burgundy gave Edward the help he needed to take back the English throne

6.

On Edward's return to England he was attacked by the Earl of Warwick's army at the Battle of Barnet. Which future king of England had his first commanding role in this battle?

Edward V

Richard III

Henry VII

Henry VIII

Aged only 18, Richard led the vanguard of Edward's army. The Yorkists were victorious and the treacherous Earl of Warwick was killed

7.

The Lancastrians were finally defeated in the Battle of Tewkesbury when the heir of Henry VI, Edward Prince of Wales, was killed. His father died a few weeks later. What was the recorded cause of Henry VI's death?

Sadness at the news of his son's death

Bubonic Plague

Suicide brought on by madness

Cholera

Edward IV was crowned for the second time the morning after Henry's death. Many historians suspect that Henry was murdered on the order of Edward, to prevent further rebellions in support of Henry's rule

8.

Fourteen years of peace followed the Battle of Tewkesbury before there was a further rebellion which led to the Battle of Bosworth Field. Who led the Lancastrian force?

The Duke of Lancaster

The Prince of Wales

The Earl of Richmond

The Duke of York

Richmond was the only surviving Lancastrian claimant to the throne. After his victory at Bosworth he was crowned King Henry VII, the first Tudor king

9.

Many consider Bosworth to be the last battle in the Wars of the Roses but some include the Battle of Stoke Field fought two years later. There was a rebellion by Yorkist supporters led by a man pretending to be which Edward Plantagenet?

The son of Edward IV

The cousin of Edward IV and Richard III

The son of Richard III

The nephew of Edward IV and Richard III

He was, in fact, a commoner named Lambert Simnel. He was pardoned for his part in the rebellion by Henry VII because he was a youngster and had been used by adults to further their own cause

10.

In total the wars lasted for 30 years. They saw 16 major battles, many thousands of deaths and how many Kings of England?

Three kings

Four kings

Five kings

Six kings

These were: Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V (who was never crowned), Richard III and Henry VII. Only two of these died natural deaths. One was killed in battle and two were murdered